edification

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

edification
    n 1: uplifting enlightenment [syn: {edification},
         {sophistication}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Edification \Ed`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. aedificatio: cf. F.
   ['e]dification. See {Edify}.]
   1. The act of edifying, or the state of being edified; a
      building up, especially in a moral or spiritual sense;
      moral, intellectual, or spiritual improvement;
      instruction.
      [1913 Webster]

            The assured edification of his church. --Bp. Hall.
      [1913 Webster]

            Out of these magazines I shall supply the town with
            what may tend to their edification.   --Addison.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A building or edifice. [Obs.] --Bullokar.
      [1913 Webster]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

36 Moby Thesaurus words for "edification":
      accomplishments, acquisition of knowledge, acquisitions,
      attainments, catechization, coaching, didactics, direction,
      education, enlightening, enlightenment, guidance, illumination,
      improvement, information, instruction, learning, liberal education,
      pedagogics, pedagogy, private teaching, programmed instruction,
      reeducation, schooling, self-instruction, self-teaching,
      sophistication, spoon-feeding, store of knowledge, teaching,
      tuition, tutelage, tutorage, tutoring, tutorship, uplifting